Qatar Open: Ashleigh Barty Cruises To Third Spherical, Sofia Kenin Loses | Tennis News

Sofia Kenin suffered her 3rd defeat since profitable the Australian Open previous this month, shedding to Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska within the Doha moment around, whilst international primary Ashleigh Barty cruised to victory on Tuesday. American international quantity 5 Kenin, who defeated Garbine Muguruza to claim her maiden Grand Slam singles title in Melbourne, went down 6-Three, 7-6 (7/Four) to Yastremska. Kenin misplaced one in every of her two suits in america’ Fed Cup qualifying win over Latvia, sooner than being knocked out via in-form Kazakh Elena Rybakina within the Dubai opening around remaining week.

“It is in reality irritating,” the 21-year-old advised wtatennis.com.

“Clearly coming off of Melbourne the place I felt I used to be enjoying the most efficient tennis of my existence, coming right down to enjoying, now not the worst tennis, however now not enjoying the tennis I wish to be enjoying.”

The 19-year-old Yastremska will face both Muguruza or Australian Ajla Tomljanovic within the 3rd around.

“Creds to her, she performed neatly, got here up with some just right photographs at the ones necessary moments,” Kenin stated of Yastremska, who has already received 3 WTA titles.

“She simply performed higher at necessary moments and I simply made too many unforced mistakes, I simply felt beautiful flat-footed the entire fit.”

Barty made quick paintings of German Laura Siegemund in her first fit since shedding within the Australian Open semi-finals to Kenin.

The reigning French Open champion noticed off the sector quantity 68, 6-Three, 6-2.

Barty broke serve 5 occasions within the fit, profitable in underneath an hour and 1 / 4.

The Australian may subsequent face Rybakina, who has already reached 4 WTA finals this season and performs Alison Van Uytvanck in her second-round come upon.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova additionally booked a spot within the remaining 16 with a Four-6, 6-Three, 6-Zero win over Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro.

The Czech will face former Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko for a quarter-final spot after the Latvian’s 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of Barbora Strycova.

Closing yr’s winner Elise Mertens noticed her name defence come to an early finish with a Four-6, 6-Three, 6-2 loss to Yulia Putintseva.

Kazakhstan’s Putintseva will subsequent play fourth seed Belina Bencic after the Swiss battled previous Veronika Kudermetova 6-Four, Four-6, 7-6 (7/Four).

Belarusian 9th seed Aryna Sabalenka additionally stepped forward, beating Anett Kontaveit 7-Five, 2-6, 7-Five.

In a while Tuesday, international quantity 3 Karolina Pliskova faces American Bernarda Pera.